Conversations with Grace Halpern

Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Halpern

Hi Grace, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in LA. I feel so lucky to have grown up here. The sunlight, the poetic nature, and the culture of storytellers are euphoric.

I grew up around artists and wackadoodles of all types who shaped me into the person I am today.

I love movies, dancing, and trees.

I am motivated by technicolor living, full-body laughter, and the great depth of every emotion.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s hard to own your light as an artist, woman, or human – it’s the great challenge of living! Challenging myself to step fully into who I think I am capable of being both terrifies and excites me.

Every opportunity I get to inch or jump outside of my comfort zone, I am excited by it. I love that feeling of growth. That stretching of one’s wings to break the chrysalis and become the monarch is such a necessary and exciting challenge! To over-explain that metaphor: a butterfly cannot survive unless it goes through the challenge of spreading its wings past the chrysalis — that discomfort is necessary.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an actress, writer, and filmmaker. I love what I get to do – pose questions, play, laugh, and collaborate with my friends. Making movies is the best freaking thing!!!

Most recently, my short “Baby Talk”, which I co-directed with Ryan Benson, did the festival circuit: California Women’s Film Festival, RSFF, LA Indie Women’s Film Awards, 938 Collective, and Vienna’s Independent Film Festival. Just last week, “Baby Talk” played at the Film Olympiad in Greece where it won first place for cinematography (Clyde Keener Mulroney), editing (Yvonne Petersen), and hair and make-up (me!), and second place for the screenplay I wrote!

As for writing, I co-wrote a screenplay adaptation of a children’s Christmas book with one of my best friends and collaborators Jake Osgard​.

Next on the docket is throwing a film screening night with a band of some of my favorite film-making friends – Elijah Newman and Alex Crawford.

How do you define success?
Success is being able to tell stories and make art with your friends. There is no better feeling in the world than that total rush of creation and accomplishment shared with your best friends — that’s the best!

Life seems to be defined by how you spend it. If when I look back, hopefully at a very old age, I see bounds of laughter shared with friends while making movies I will have lived a very successful life.

Another take on success that is true for me – is that I would like to be able to buy my parents the world and actualize their wildest dreams — aiming to show them my greatest gratitude for the life they have given me.

I would love to get my dad all the cars he has dreamt of and my mother a tennis court.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.gracehalpern.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gracehalpern
• Other: https://vimeo.com/1008892260

Image Credits
1st Photo Natasha Mindling, 2nd Photo – Baby Talk Clyde Keener Mulroney, 3rd Photo – Dead Flowers Kyle Bower, 4th Photo – Olivia Mcdowell, 5th & 6th Baby Talk Clyde Keener Mulroney